Does being transgender cause additional health risks?

Introduction

Transgender individuals face unique health challenges and risks due to a combination of biological, behavioral, social, and structural factors. This synthesis examines the additional health risks associated with being transgender, drawing on data from multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Mental Health Risks:
- Transgender individuals, including youth and older adults, have significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm compared to cisgender individuals .
- Gender nonconforming transgender people face more discrimination and are more likely to engage in health-harming behaviors such as substance abuse and attempted suicide.
Physical Health Risks:
- Transgender individuals report poorer general health and higher prevalence of disabilities compared to cisgender individuals .
- There is a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risks, including myocardial infarction, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, particularly among those undergoing hormone therapy .
Healthcare Access and Utilization:
- Transgender individuals are more likely to lack health care coverage and a regular healthcare provider, and are less likely to visit a dentist compared to cisgender individuals.
- Fear of accessing health services, internalized stigma, and victimization are significant barriers to healthcare for transgender individuals.
Substance Use and Abuse:
- Higher rates of substance use and abuse, including smoking and alcohol use, are observed among transgender individuals, contributing to their overall health risks .
Cancer Risks:
- Concerns about cancer risk in transgender patients are linked to hormone therapy, sexually transmitted infections, and increased exposure to risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use.

Conclusion

Transgender individuals face a range of additional health risks compared to cisgender individuals, including poorer mental and physical health, higher cardiovascular risks, and barriers to healthcare access. These risks are exacerbated by discrimination, stigma, and lack of social support. Addressing these disparities requires comprehensive healthcare approaches, improved access to services, and supportive interventions tailored to the unique needs of the transgender population.

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Does being transgender cause additional health risks?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Physical and mental health of transgender older adults: an at-risk and underserved population.

Transgender older adults face higher risks of poor physical health, disability, depressive symptomatology, and perceived stress, with stigma, victimization, and social support being key modifiable factors.

Global health burden and needs of transgender populations: a review

Transgender people face high health risks and need a comprehensive approach that includes gender affirmation, improved health systems, and culturally specific programming.

Demographic Characteristics and Health Status of Transgender Adults in Select US Regions: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014

Transgender individuals in the US have higher prevalence of poor general health, more days of poor physical and mental health, and less access to healthcare coverage and providers.

Health of Transgender Adults in the U.S., 2014-2016.

Transgender individuals experience worse mental health and disabilities, with gender-nonconforming individuals facing higher odds of multiple chronic conditions, poor quality of life, and disabilities compared to cisgender individuals.

The Social Costs of Gender Nonconformity for Transgender Adults: Implications for Discrimination and Health†

Gender nonconformity in transgender individuals is associated with increased discrimination and increased risk for health-harming behaviors.

Mental health of transgender youth in care at an adolescent urban community health center: a matched retrospective cohort study.

Transgender youth experience a higher risk of mental health issues compared to cisgender youth, with equally high burdens in both FTM and MTF patients.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Transgender Patients Presenting for Gender-Affirming Care.

Transgender individuals are at high baseline cardiovascular risk, with higher rates of mental health disorders, substance use, and undiagnosed and untreated co-morbidities.

Cancer in Transgender People: Evidence and Methodological Considerations.

Cancer risk in transgender people is influenced by hormonal therapy, sexually transmitted infections, increased exposure to risk factors, and inadequate screening access.

Cardiovascular health in transgender people

Transgender people have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, with hormone therapy potentially increasing triglycerides and decreasing HDL-cholesterol in trans men.

Risk and Protective Factors in the Lives of Transgender/Gender Nonconforming Adolescents.

Transgender and gender nonconforming adolescents in the United States face significant health disparities, with higher risk behaviors and lower protective factors compared to cisgender youth.

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